X-radiograph(s) of "Still-Life" 

Curator: Here we see an X-radiograph of a painting by Vincent van Gogh, known as “Still-Life”, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, there’s something quite haunting about this x-ray. It’s skeletal, revealing a hidden history beneath what we expect from a Van Gogh still life. Curator: Indeed. The visible brushstrokes, even in this radiographic representation, speak to Van Gogh’s distinct impasto technique and bold application of paint. One can almost discern a dynamic tension within the composition. Editor: And consider the layers of creation and erasure—the underpainting laid bare! It's a tangible record of the artist's process. What labor went into each flower, each stroke? Curator: It adds another layer of interpretation to Van Gogh's oeuvre, demonstrating a unique perspective on form and function. Editor: It certainly prompts reflection on the materiality of art and its ability to hold untold stories.